What Every American Should Know about the Rest of the World - by Melissa Rossi (Paperback)

About the Book

What's the difference between Khomeini and Khaddafi? How can you tell a Tutsi from a Hutu? The answers to these questions and others are found in this entertaining guide to political science, current events, foreign affairs, and history.

Book Synopsis

Confused about the news? Slip out of the room when friends talk current events? Now you can keep up with ease and learn to talk like a diplomat.

Among the things you'll soon be able to slip into everyday conversation:

• What is the difference between Kurdistan and Kazakhstan?
• Why did North Korea's leader kidnap his favorite actress?
• Why is Osama bin Laden so mad?
• Which countries still have slaves?
• Why is Kashmir "the most dangerous place in the world?"
• What country has the most Muslims?
• Why are they fighting in Chechnya?
• What little box prompted Hutus to kill Tutsis?
• Who is Prince Turki and how did his hunting trip change history?
• How are cows fueling the fighting between India's Muslims and Hindus?
• Which country drew maps that have resulted in the most intractable wars?
• What is controversial UN Resolution 242?
• What makes Qatar stand out?
• What country does Sumatran coffee come from?
• What country's fakes forced the US to redesign the $100 bill?
• Who is the FARC and why have they been fighting for decades?

An entertaining guide to political science, current events, foreign affairs, and history, What Every American Should Know about the Rest of the World gives you the vocabulary and background you need to decipher the modern world in a simple-to-understand format.

Review Quotes

"The perfect book for paranoiacs, conspiracy buffs, fans of Michael Moore, and just anyone who thinks the people running the world don't have our best interests at heart. Rossi... sets out to expose the lurkers in the shadows of government who are pulling the strings worldwide. Political advisors, influential corporations, media moguls, retail empires, government agencies--the list is both long and unsettling. Rossi's premise is simple: there are people and organizations running the world from behind the scenes of government and commerce, and us ordinary folks would be wise to know who they are. Rossi doesn't pull any punches... she marshals plenty of impressive source material."--David Pitt, Booklist

About the Author

Melissa Rossi is an award-winning veteran journalist who has penned articles for Newsweek, Newsday, Esquire, George, MSNBC, The New York Observer, and, until recently, wrote a regular column for National Geographic Traveler. She has written extensively about Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and has lived abroad for many years.